2025 marks the 4th Edition of the International Patent Drafting Training Program, jointly designed between WIPO and FICPI.
The qualification is now recognised by national IP offices in countries and regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.
This year 29 students from more than 25 countries and regions were represented.
The four-phase course included distance learning in April/May, an in-person lecture and workshop phase in Geneva in June/July, followed by a distance mentoring phase in August/October 2025 and a final exam in November. Certificates will be jointly signed by the WIPO and FICPI Academies and delivered to the students.
Marco Alemán, WIPO Assistant Director-General, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector, said, "Some participants even go on to join WIPO's Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), offering pro bono patent drafting support to resource-constrained inventors in 10 countries. A full-circle moment for those who want to give back."
He added, "I would like to thank FICPI and especially Eric Le Forestier for being a strong partner in making this program a reality. And to our instructors Anna Tomlinson, Anupam Trivedi, Robert Sayre and Victoria Lovatt for their generosity and dedication to this talented group of patent drafters.1"
Allison Mages, Head of the IP Commercialization Section at WIPO, commented, "Watching this group transform has been incredible. Strangers became collaborators. Different legal systems sparked new perspectives. By mid-week, you couldn't tell who came from which country - they were all just passionate patent drafters solving problems together.
"This week taught them to see beyond the obvious. To identify what makes something truly inventive. To protect the innovation that actually matters.2"
Attendee Keerthi Kodithuwakku, Chairman/CEO at Jendo Innovations in Sri Lanka, commented on his experience, "Attending the International Patent Drafting Training Program at WIPO, Geneva. A valuable experience that deepened the understanding of protecting innovation through effective IP strategies. Grateful for the global exposure and expert guidance!3"
Mona Jahani is in Research and Innovation in the Netherlands, she said, "Participating in IPDTP 2025 was a truly transformative experience. As a scientific innovator working at the intersection of food science, technology, and regulatory affairs, I found the program to be a powerful catalyst for deepening my expertise in strategic patent drafting and IP protection. I'm excited to apply these insights in advancing innovation in the agri-food and health sectors, and to contribute meaningfully to the evolving global IP landscape.4"
Next steps
Countries can choose to recognise the International Patent Drafting Training Programme, as part of their own training programme for drafting professionals through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Through an MOU, the WIPO Certificate may:
- Be a prerequisite for becoming a national patent agent/professional
- Provide a number of credits required to become a national patent agent/professional
- Be an obligatory educational programme for national patent agents/professionals
- Provide a number of credits required within an obligatory educational programme for national patent agents/professionals
- Provide a professional title that recognises the expertise in patent drafting.
If you are interested in learning more about the FICPI Patent Drafting courses, or wish to participate in a future course, please visit https://ficpi.org/organisation/committees/ficpi-academy
For information on the International Patent Drafting Training Programme, visit: https://welc.wipo.int/ipdtp/
How FICPI makes IP attorneys more effective
FICPI’s dual focus on legal and professional excellence is demonstrated through its training sessions, its Professional Excellence Committee, The FICPI Academy, and the Study & Work Committee and its seven sub-groups including CET 3 which focuses on International Patent Matters, and CET 4 which focuses on European Patents.
In-person training courses such as the International Patent Drafting Programme not only offer opportunities to learn but also to build connections with other independent IP attorneys or more generally among a variety of IP stakeholders around the world, through common interests and concerns.
Photos: Copyright WIPO/Berrod (attendee photos - Keerthi and Mona)
References:
1 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marco-m-alem%C3%A1n_wipo-iptraining-patentdrafting-activity-7344299178145046528-30sa
2 - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7345462005396324352/
3 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/keerthi-kodithuwakku-b98149219_wipo-wipopatentdrafting-innovation-activity-7342817871208566784-OjkS
4 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mona-jahani_ipdtpabr2025-wipo-patentdrafting-activity-7347011275589083137-TyIL